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DePaul's 'Bench Mob' Might Be College Basketball's Most Entertaining Bunch

By Justin Breen | February 20, 2015 5:19am
 DePaul's Bench Mob — walk-on juniors Peter Ryckbosch, Cory Dolins and David Molinari and freshman Joe Hanel — have become developed a cult following for their antics on the bench after great moments from their teammates on the court.
DePaul's Bench Mob — walk-on juniors Peter Ryckbosch, Cory Dolins and David Molinari and freshman Joe Hanel — have become developed a cult following for their antics on the bench after great moments from their teammates on the court.
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DePaul Athletics

ROSEMONT — Arguably the most entertaining basketball players in the Big East have played a combined 65 minutes and scored 15 total points in 27 games this season.

But DePaul's Bench Mob — walk-on juniors Peter Ryckbosch, Cory Dolins and David Molinari and freshman Joe Hanel — have developed a cult following for their antics on the bench in support of their teammates on the court.

And no celebration is out of bounds (pun intended), from simulating a baseball sequence with a pitcher, catcher, batter and umpire to "riding the train."

"I'll be honest. It's crazy that people cheer for guys that sit on the bench and pretend they're Olympic curlers or hitting a home run," Hanel said. "But we've got to give people what they want."

 DePaul's Bench Mob - (from left) walk-on juniors Peter Ryckbosch, Cory Dolins and David Molinari and freshman Joe Hanel - have become developed a cult following for their antics on the bench after great moments from their teammates on the court.
DePaul's Bench Mob - (from left) walk-on juniors Peter Ryckbosch, Cory Dolins and David Molinari and freshman Joe Hanel - have become developed a cult following for their antics on the bench after great moments from their teammates on the court.
View Full Caption
DePaul Athletics

Molinari this season created the Twitter account @DePaul_Benchmob, which describes the Mob as "The 4 white guys at the end of DePaul's bench - 0 athletic scholarships - 3.81 cumulative GPA." The account has about 500 followers.

"I don't think that's enough," Dolins said, laughing. "I'd like to see 1,000 at least."

Justin Breen said the evolution of the celebrations has been organic:

One of their biggest fans is Blue Demons star guard and Morgan Park High School product Billy Garrett Jr., who said the Mob was the "best bench in college basketball."

Several local and national sports personalities, including CBS Radio's Doug Gottlieb, have agreed.

"It's another good thing to bring attention to our team," Molinari said. "I think it's fun, and it makes more people watch the games."

Molinari, Dolins and Hanel actually got on the court during Wednesday's 84-57 loss to Providence at Allstate Arena, where Molinari and Dolins made their first collegiate baskets.

Ryckbosch, a St. Ignatius College Prep graduate and Irving Park native, didn't see court time because he's recovering from an ACL he tore over the summer. Even when he gets healthy, Ryckbosch understands he likely won't get on the floor much, which doesn't bother him in the least.

"I knew coming in I wasn't going to be a vital part of the team in terms of playing," Ryckbosch said. "I'm fine with that because I get to play Division I basketball. I'm lucky to do that."

Ryckbosch, whose Demons (12-15) next play at Georgetown at 7 p.m. Saturday, also feels fortunate to be a part of such a boisterous bench bunch.

"And we're getting legitimate attention," he said. "I think it’s just kind of funny we’re getting attention for joking around on the bench."

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